DIY: Simple Cards

Hands up if you've been invited to a wedding/engagement/birthday/insert-random-occasion-here recently and had a tough time finding a card that 1. isn't $8 for something that looks like your mother made in her first scrapbooking class; 2. perfectly conveys your razor sharp wit or fantastical worldly knowledge; 3. isn't visually offensive.  Both my hands are up.  And yes, I am cheap with cards because 95% of the time, that $8 piece of tree will be thrown out in the trash.  I don't want my money to flippantly end up in the bin!  But I don't expect everyone to harbour past cards like an episode of Hoarders...  So if you haven't already jumped on to the modern calligraphy wave, then here's a good reason to try it out.  S & I are big fans of hand-made cards, and you can certainly save a crapload of moolah (whilst honing your skillz) with some simple sentiments.

Pre-step 1.  Learn how to wield a dip-pen.  Or fake it*

Step 1. Make some cards, or buy a pack of pre-made blank cards

Step 2. Flourish away with some inky goodness in your choice of hue.  I find simpler is better, and famous wedding song lyrics make for great wedding cards.  You can get more creative later!

Step 3. Make use of drying time to marvel at your hand-writing 

T

*yes, you can fake that funky effect that dip pens have.  I will elaborate further if there is a smidgeon of interest...

Shop: Take me to the beach

Trident SUP paddle | NSP SUP board | Zimmermann one-piece | The Towel Collective towel | Suunto Vyper dive computer | Finds hat | Watershot Pro iPhone 6 housing | Dafins Kicks swimfin | Abysse Lotte wetsuit 

My current infatuation with all things beach-related has been perpetuated by post-night-shift swims out at Mettam's Pool.  What better way to clear your head?  (and get some great instagram pictures, har har).  We headed out yesterday on Australia Day to the same spot for a snorkel and I am now sporting a spanky butt-tan and a renewed hankering for more octopus and shark-spotting.  Don't fret, it was only a tiny Port Jackson shark.  Perhaps dressing akin to a poisonous sea snake with the Zimmermann number in the collage would be beneficial to avoiding further shark-sightings?

Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to be living in a city blessed with such astounding natural beauty.  As much as I keep on dreaming about jetting off to places on my hit list (Iceland, anyone?), it's still nice to be a tourist in your own town.  I can't wait for my Watershot housing to arrive so I can show you the extra magic underneath the waves!

T 

   

Inspiration: Summer Table

Dinner with friends cannot be beat.

S&T

Inspiration: Moody Monday Blooms

Photo by T

Editorial: Valentino Spring 2015

Michel Pudelka does a smashing job of his first international campaign.

Styling by Karl Templer

Models: Maartje Verhoef, Grace Simmons, Hedvig Palm, Vanessa Moody, Clementine Deraedt

Red Carpet: Golden Globes 2015

I always wanted to do a celebrity look-alike! 

Here it is, in lieu of any research I had planned to do today.  Thanks, Golden Globes.

* click --> *

Editorial: Dive

Daria Werbowy for Vogue Paris, May 2007.  Photographed by Mikael Jansson, styling by Karl Templer. 

Hanalei Reponty (model/designer) for Abysse Summer 2015. Photographed by Brydie Mack @ www.wolfcubchronicles.com

Did the Rockingham wreck trail yesterday and it was a great easy dive to start off the year.  I'll be diving in Bali for my honeymoon so I should probably find a hot-to-trot steamer and channel some inner Daria.

T

Outfit: Onesie

It's seven weeks today until the wedding and I should really practise my photo-face.

YES SEVEN WEEKS OH MY GOODNESS

Now before you launch the next conversation with "how's wedding planning going?", then answer is here:

It's fine, because Jess is doing most of it.

And no, my dress isn't ready yet.

T

Inspiration: Suiting Up

Gianni Fontana by Simpson Kim
Collage: Country Road pants, Marcs tee, Karen Walker brooches, Miu Miu shoes

Festive decorations have all been taken down and most people are back to 'normal' life now, which means it's time to a) freshen up your work 'drobe with some new purchases, or b) mix up your usuals in a slick new way.

While female street fashion is almost totally irrelevant to life unless you're a model (permanently off duty, of course) or a fashion editor, menswear is the perfect place to find inspiration for your on duty days.  The men at fashion week epitomise classic tailoring, as well as smart colour use to brighten up a simple outfit.  Take this chap in navy, for example... how boring would that outfit have looked in black!

Swap this fellow's pocket square for some lapel-candy, because in case you missed the memo, brooches are having a comeback.  One of these Karen Walker beauties is sure to brighten up your colleagues' day.

S

Outfit: Ruby Red

Op shops are the setting of so many of my childhood memories (thanks mum!) & where the seed was planted for my love of a sartorial bargain.  Even now I have "cravings" if I haven't scoured an op shop in a while.  Addicted?  Perhaps.  But when your drug is a sub-$10 bright red pure wool pleated midi skirt with theabsolutemostgorgeous gold buttons, who's complaining?

S

Editorial: W

W Magazine + Tim Walker 

Musings: Join the Club

Here, have this stereotypical "I'm so influenced by Scandinavia and minimalism and I spend exorbitant amounts on fresh flowers" blogger photo so that I can:

1. Show off my excellent stem-cutting and pesky-hydrangea-droppings-cleaning skills

2. Remind you to remind me that I should stop buying food in glass jars for the purpose of keeping the glass jars for later

3. Tell you that the Aesop cream which everyone seems to own is perfect for the perpetual surgical-scrubber (who doesn't want a fragrant doctor?)

4. Provide you with photo evidence that my hipster transformation continues with the next step being Clubmasters as every-day glasses

In summary, I begin my sophomore year as a medical lackey with soft hands, a hoarding issue, and 20/20 vision.  Thank goodness I have a job to pay for those flowers. 

T

Outfit: Tropi-cool

Forty degree days are way better with shoulder protection and without pants.

Prada sunglasses

Zara dress

Betts shoes

T

Outfit: Sketch

If there's one thing Summer teaches you, it's that the best things in life aren't necessarily costly.  Ice-cream gives you change from a fiver, the beach is free, no one's charging you to walk in the fresh air or spend time with your family.  And style-wise, no one will judge you for wearing a simple tank and shorts to every single bloody event because frankly we're too hot to notice.  Spruce it up with a necklace you scored on sale & they're nonethewiser anyway.

Happy January.

S

Musings: NEW

New year + new resolutions = a kick up the bum to stop slacking with the blog!  

Where we are headed with this nobody knows, but one thing certain is that we're so grateful that you've accompanied us along on the ride.  

T